If cowboys are a symbol of the west and of America, then Texas Rangers are among the most recognized icons of Texas. The Frontier Times Museum designated one of the most famous names in Texas Ranger ranks a 2012 NDAC Texas Hero, Joaquin Jackson.

Born Haynie Joaquin Jackson in Anton, Texas, Jackson was named for his maternal grandfather, but adds, "I always went by H. Joaquin Jackson and mainly just Joaquin." He grew up on a family farm purchased under a government project program in Ropesville, Texas (near Lubbock). The family moved to another farm in Smyer, Texas, where Jackson went to high school. "I went to college at West Texas State on an athletic scholarship, playing basketball." It comes as no surprise when people meet this tall, imposing man.

When the scholarship was cancelled Jackson says he was working " ... on the Bell Ranch on a Spring roundup...," firmly cementing his cowboy credentials. But it's as a Texas Ranger most people know the name Joaquin Jackson, and rightly so.

From 1966 to 1993, Jackson served as a Ranger, seeing the agency grow from an old guard that sometimes ignored legalities in its pursuit of justice to a thoroughly modern one, using computers and all forms of updated technology to solve crime.

Referencing the title of one of the books about him, Jackson insists, "I am only one Ranger."

That might be, but this "one Ranger" casts a long shadow in the department, the state and with anyone who reads his books or sees his movies. Among his exploits - bringing criminals to justice along a stretch of the Texas-Mexico border, ensuring a fair election in Zavala County in 1972, following another renowned Ranger, Alfred Allee, Sr., into a shootout to end a prison riot, investigating the 1988 shootings in Big Bend and training Afghan soldiers to fight the Soviet Union.

After retirement from the Rangers he appeared in movies, The Good Old Boys with Tommy Lee Jones, Rough Riders and The Streets of Laredo. In 2008 he acted in Pale Pinto Gold and Poodle Dog Lounge. It was his image on a 1994 cover of Texas Monthly, however, that made him the face of modern Texas Rangers.

Joaquin Jackson will be installed into the Texas Heroes Hall of Honor at noon on the Courthouse lawn, Saturday, July 28, along with his fellow honorees, Arkey Blue, Craig Cameron and Buddy Groff. He will sign copies of his books, One Ranger and One Ranger Returns, at the museum at 2 pm Friday, July 27, along with Craig Cameron, and both men will be presented at the opening night of Ranch Rodeo at Mansfield Park at 8 pm, Friday night.

Join the Frontier Times Museum as it honors four exceptional Texas Heroes during the 2012 NDAC.in movies, The Good Old Boys with Tommy Lee Jones, Rough Riders and The Streets of Laredo. In 2008 he acted in Pale Pinto Gold and Poodle Dog Lounge. It was his image on a 1994 cover of Texas Monthly, however, that made him the face of modern Texas Rangers.

Joaquin Jackson will be installed into the Texas Heroes Hall of Honor at noon on the Courthouse lawn, Saturday, July 28, along with his fellow honorees, Arkey Blue, Craig Cameron and Buddy Groff. He will sign copies of his books, One Ranger and One Ranger Returns, at the museum at 2 pm Friday, July 27, along with Craig Cameron, and both men will be presented at the opening night of Ranch Rodeo at Mansfield Park at 8 pm, Friday night.

Join the Frontier Times Museum as it honors four exceptional Texas Heroes during the 2012 NDAC.